Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) may be small, but they complete one of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom. In North America, these butterflies migrate from their range in the upper United States and Canada all the way down to Mexico and Southern California, logging as many as 2,500 miles on their journeys. That's a lot of flying for such a little creature, so it's critical that Monarchs rest and refuel on their journeys. Their food of choice is a plant called milkweed (Genus Asclepias), but they will sip nectar from many kinds of flowers. After mating at the end of their migration, the females journey north once again and lay their eggs on milkweed plants. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on milkweed, which gives them an amazing superpower — the toxins in the plant make the butterflies poisonous! Their iconic orange and black coloration once they reach adulthood is added protection, serving as a visible warning sign to deter potential predators. Monarchs may be tiny, but they're mighty too! 

If you want to support Monarchs by planting milkweed, get a California native species like Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa). Non-native milkweeds like Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) flower too early and confuse Monarchs into breeding prematurely when they should be migrating; they can also host a Monarch parasite that can be detrimental to their populations.